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Wales announce squad to face Wallabies

Wales announce squad to face Wallabies
© PA Photos
Warren Gatland announces his 28-man squad to face Australia next month.

Warren Gatand has announced a 28-man squad to face Australia at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, December 3.

Sam Warburton returns to the Wales fold following his controversial sending-off in the semi-finals of the World Cup, an he retains the captain's armband.

Veteran winger Shane Williams will play his last game in a Wales shirt as he plans to retire following the Test.

Stephen Jones misses out on a place in favour of Ospreys fly-half Dan Biggar, while Scarlets hooker Matthew Rees returns from the neck injury that ruled him out of the World Cup.

Dragons flanker Lewis Evans, Blues wing Alex Cuthbert and Scarlets fullback Liam Williams are the only uncapped players named in the squad.

"As we have gone with the majority of our Rugby World Cup squad we have maintained continuity by selecting Sam again as captain for this game, but it is a significant boost for us to have someone of the experience and stature of Matthew Rees back in the squad which, in turn, means there is considerable competition in the hooker's position with both Huw Bennett and Lloyd Burns also with us," Gatland said.

"The fans have a chance to show the players how proud they are of them after their World Cup performances and it should be quite an occasion at the Millennium Stadium, especially with the Shane Williams factor thrown in, but we won't be sitting back and soaking up the atmosphere - Shane will want to go out in style and this squad wants to, and needs to, get back to winning ways."

Forwards: Scott Andrews, Huw Bennett, Ryan Bevington, Lloyd Burns, Luke Charteris, Bradley Davies, Ian Evans, Lewis Evans, Toby Faletau, Gethin Jenkins, Adam Jones, Ryan Jones, Danny Lydiate, Matthew Rees, Justin Tipuric, Sam Warburton (c).

Backs: Dan Biggar, Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Leigh Halfpenny, Tavis Knoyle, George North, Rhys Priestland, Jamie Roberts, Liam Williams, Lloyd Williams, Scott Williams, Shane Williams.

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